Book review: A guide for the high school newbie

By Elizabeth GoldenMcClatchy Newspapers

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2007 at 12:01 AM

"A Field Guide to High School," by Marissa Walsh; Delacorte Press; $15.99 hardcover; 131 pages.Have you ever wanted a guide for freshman year of high school?Do you or a loved one suffer from HSAS (high school anxiety syndrome)? If you answered yes to either of these questions, your treatment has finally become available.Andie is getting ready to start her freshman year at elite private high school Plumstead, and Claire, Andie's big sister, is starting her freshman year at Yale. Claire, of course, was valedictorian of her senior class, captain of the field hockey team and involved in as much as she had time for.Andie is worried about having to live up to her sister's legacy, since her extracurricular list doesn't exactly touch the floor. Thankfully Claire wrote a book especially for her little sister, giving Andie as much information as anyone would ever need to start high school."A Field Guide to High School" is the perfect one-night read. It's easy to understand, and the story moves smoothly. This book comes complete with hundreds of pop culture references. C'mon, how could you not love a book with a "Gilmore Girls" reference in it?It also may give future high school freshmen an idea of what to expect in high school. Some of the tips refer just to Plumstead, but many tips can be transferred to any school.However, if you are reading to widen your horizons or learn some new philosophical thoughts about life, sadly this is not the book for you. Although entertaining, "A Field Guide to High School" lacks substance. Still, if you want a peacefully entertaining book to unwind with, look for "A Field Guide to High School" at your local bookstore.

Elizabeth Golden is a junior at Cristos Academy in Kansas City, Kan.

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